Pot Still
A Pot Still is a traditional piece of equipment used to make spirits like whiskey, brandy, and some types of rum. Think of it as a large copper cooking pot that turns fermented liquid into alcohol through heating and cooling. It's different from modern column stills because it produces spirits with more flavor, which is why craft distilleries often highlight its use. When someone mentions this in their resume, they're indicating experience with traditional distillation methods. Other terms you might see are 'copper pot still,' 'batch still,' or 'alembic still' - they all refer to the same basic concept.
Examples in Resumes
Operated Pot Still equipment for craft whiskey production
Maintained and cleaned Pot Still and Copper Still systems
Supervised Pot Still distillation process for small-batch spirits
Typical job title: "Distillers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Distillers
Professional Organizations
Online Communities
Job Resources
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you determine the optimal cut points during pot still distillation?
Expected Answer: A senior distiller should explain how they decide when to separate heads, hearts, and tails during distillation, mentioning both temperature monitoring and sensory evaluation. They should discuss how these decisions affect the final product quality.
Q: What maintenance procedures do you implement for pot stills?
Expected Answer: They should describe cleaning schedules, copper maintenance, safety checks, and preventive maintenance procedures. They should also mention documentation and training of junior staff.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What safety procedures do you follow when operating a pot still?
Expected Answer: Should discuss temperature monitoring, pressure checks, proper ventilation, emergency procedures, and basic safety equipment needed during operation.
Q: How do you troubleshoot common pot still issues?
Expected Answer: Should be able to describe common problems like heating issues, condensing problems, or irregular spirit flow, and explain basic troubleshooting steps.
Junior Level Questions
Q: Can you explain the basic parts of a pot still?
Expected Answer: Should be able to identify main components like the pot, swan neck, condenser, and collection vessels, and explain their basic functions.
Q: What's the difference between a pot still and a column still?
Expected Answer: Should explain that pot stills are batch operations producing more flavorful spirits, while column stills are continuous and typically produce cleaner, lighter spirits.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic still operation and monitoring
- Understanding of safety procedures
- Basic cleaning and maintenance
- Record keeping and documentation
Mid (2-5 years)
- Independent still operation
- Quality control procedures
- Problem diagnosis and resolution
- Recipe following and consistency
Senior (5+ years)
- Process optimization
- Recipe development
- Team supervision and training
- Equipment maintenance planning
Red Flags to Watch For
- No knowledge of basic safety procedures
- Lack of understanding about temperature control
- No experience with documentation requirements
- Unable to explain basic distillation concepts
- No hands-on experience with actual pot stills
Related Terms
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